Westchester Children's Museum to Honor Beverly McAllister at May 9 Gala
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The Westchester Children's Museum has announced that Beverly McAllister, Director of the Westchester Children's Museum "Museum Without Walls" Education Program, is the 2014 recipient of the prestigious Milton A. Williams, Jr. Scholars in Education Award. Ms. McAllister will be honored on Friday, May 9 from 7 to 10 pm at the Westchester Children's Museum's annual benefit gala – the first to be held on site in the Museum's future home at the Playland Bathhouse in Rye, NY.
The Milton A. Williams, Jr. Scholars in Education Award recognizes the invaluable role that teachers play in the lives of children and honors recipients for their positive impact on education. The award was created in partnership with Helen Williams in memory of her late husband Milton Williams, Jr., father of Westchester resident actress and performer Vanessa Williams, who serves on WCM's Advisory Board. Mr. Williams was a beloved music teacher and administrator for 43 years at the Alice E. Grady Elementary School in Elmsford. The award honors Mr. William's legacy as an educator and encourages others in the field to grow in their teachings and continue learning along the way.
"Milton was a mentor of not only music, but of life. Aside from teaching, he was a Boy Scout Troop Leader, a Millwood Fire Commissioner, and member of the Elmsford Rotary Club, among other things," said Helen, herself a former educator in the Ossining school district for 37 years. "Milton had an insatiable thirst for learning and for sharing his knowledge with others. He was dedicated to teaching whenever he had the opportunity and was truly passionate about education in all its forms."
"Bev McAllister has a long and vibrant career in the education field in Westchester County," continued Ms. Williams. "Her record of leadership and mentoring other professionals, development of dynamic programs for young children, and experience leading a team of educators in developing and delivering museum related programs to diverse communities makes her an outstanding honoree to carry on Milton's legacy of lifelong learning."
Beverly McAllister, an educator and education administrator in Westchester for over 30 years, is currently the Program Coordinator of the Museum Without Walls, the highly successful interactive education program developed by the Westchester Children's Museum to fulfill its educational mission until the bricks and mortar museum opens its doors in 2015. Previously, Ms. McAllister was Executive Director of Kids' B.A.S.E. & The Little School in Scarsdale; Director of the Reformed Church Nursery School in Broxville; Director of Ridgway Nursery School & Kindergarten in White Plains; and a classroom teacher for many years prior.
Many from Scarsdale are involved with the museum. Event Chair Stacey Schutzer is a Scarsdale mom of three, WCM Boardmember, and member of the Founding Family Society. Others from Scarsdale on the Benefit Committee include: Randi and Brian Culang, Alison and Greg Gordon, Francoise and Steven Kosson, Lauren and James Fields, Stacey and Richard Schutzer, Stephanie and David Simon, Kim Sparber, Marin and Brad Weinberg and Jayne and Joshua Weisbrod
The Museum Without Walls provides interactive art and science programs to elementary school age children primarily in communities that need it most. Under the leadership of Ms. McAllister, the Museum Without Walls, launched in mid 2010, has reached more than 11,000 students in more than 40 community organizations across the region, including the Carver Center of Port Chester; the Boys & girls Clubs of New Rochelle, Greenwich and Northern Westchester; YMCAs in White Plains, Rye, and Tarrytown; Lois Bronz Children's Center, and Lanza Learning Center. Ms. McAllister coordinates the programming for the partner organizations with a team of nearly 20 educators and career professionals in the arts, sciences, and early childhood education.
Museum Without Walls programs are funded by corporate, foundation, and individual donations. Leadership support from Wells Fargo as well as Rye, NY's Nan and Lear Beyer, a Managing Director of Wells Fargo, enabled the program to get off the ground and continue to grow. Other support comes from Con Edison; Entergy, Junior Leagues of Greenwich, Pelham and Westchester on the Sound; the Lego Children's Fund; the York Children's Foundation; and the TD Charitable Foundation.
Set to open in 2015, the Westchester Children's Museum will offer exhibits that are designed to encourage imagination, play, and interactive learning. Exhibit design professionals have been hard at work creating a unique learning space, one that reflects the particular interests of our children and our community. The Campaign for the Westchester Children's Museum is in the midst of a $10 million capital campaign to get the museum's doors open in the next 24 months. The architectural and exhibit design phases are complete, and construction documents are ready to go out for bid. With architectural and engineering teams are in place, all that remains is to raise the necessary funds to begin construction.
To purchase tickets, click here. For further information, contact: Corinne Zola, President, Westchester Children's Museum 914-834-0110 or Julie Sootin, Development Director, 914-421-5050, [email protected].
Spring Benefits and Galas
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It's benefit season in Scarsdale. Here's what's coming up in the next few weeks. Mark your calendars and sign up today.
Maroon and White Fundraiser, April 28 – Thursday May 1. Support the athletes by eating at California Pizza Kitchen on Central Avenue in Scarsdale. Eat at CPK on April 28, 29, 30 or May 1, 2014, and CPK will donate 20% of your check to Maroon & White. Order anything you want. Good for Eat-in, Take-out or Delivery. Just bring the flyer on the link below with you and show it to your server when ordering (or tell them you have it when you place your order on the phone). Click here for more information, and a link to the flyer to bring with you.
The JCC of Mid-Westchester will hold their annual gala honoring Robert Arnow, Roger Kahn and Alison Singer on Thursday May 1 at 7 pm at the Rennaissance Westchester Hotel in West Harrison. The evening will include cocktails and dinner, entertainment and a silent auction. Click here to reserve your ticket today.
DOROT Westchester will hold their annual Spring event on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Neuberger Museum of Art at Purchase College, SUNY at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. There will be brunch and a tour with remarks by Helen Stambler Neuberger, Chair of the Board, Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art and Paola Morsiani, Museum Director. Exhibitions include Robin Rhode: Animating the Everyday; Forrest Bess: Seeing Things Invisible; When Modern Was Contemporary: The Roy R. Neuberger Collection; and African Art and Culture, Selections from the Collection. RSVP at www.dorotusa.org. For more information, call Lindsay Smith 917-441-3742 or email: [email protected]
The Lymphoma Research Foundation will hold its Annual LRF Golf Invitational on Monday May 19. Golfers will enjoy a fun day out on the course including brunch, golf, cocktail hour, and dinner at Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Quaker Ridge has hosted three Met Opens, three Met Amateurs, and three Met PGA Championships. The club has always promoted the game of golf, and supported its traditions. Lymphoma Research Foundation is honored to be hosting our 2014 Golf Invitational at this prestigious course.
Foursome ($6,000) includes lunch, cocktails, dinner and gift bags for four players. Tournament sponsor ($10,000) includes foursome noted above; verbal recognition; logo/name featured on a golf hole, clubhouse signage, program and website.
Tickets: www.lymphoma.org/golf
Contact: Taylor Zitay, Director of Distinguished Events: [email protected]; (646) 465-9103
MEDIA CONTACT: Peggy Ann Torney, Director of Communications and Marketing: [email protected]; (646) 465-9109
Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling Service will host the annual Gourmet Galaxy on Thursday June 19 at the Fountainhead in New Rochelle. The night will celebrate Geraldine Green who has served SEFCS for 33 years. For more information and to purchase tickets, call SFCS at 914-723-3281.
Passover Recipes from the Kitchen of Evelyn Stock
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We ran into Evelyn Stock at the Scarsdale Bowl and she promised to share a few recipes for Passover. As promised, at 11:00 that night, directly on the heels of the Bowl dinner, Evelyn was up typing recipes and forwarded these to us to share with you for your Seder table next week.
Evelyn says, "For years, I have made what is called a matza kugel. Everyone who has had it has adopted as one of the dishes served at their Seders, The trick is to make enough so that you can have it in the morning with coffee. Also there are two desserts, both good for Passover AND for the rest of the year. And you don't have to be Jewish to make them.
APPLE PASSOVER KUGEL
4 matzos
3 eggs, well beaten
½ t. salt
½ C. sugar
¼ C melted butter or margarine
1 t. cinnamon
½ C. chopped walnuts (optional—I don't use them)
2 large apples, pared and chopped (not too small)
½ C. raisins (blond preferred)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 inch square pan.
Break matzos into pieces, Soak in water until soft. Drain but do not squeeze dry. Beat eggs with salt, sugar, melted far and cinnamon. Add to matzo mixture. Stir in chopped nuts, raisins, and apples. Bake for 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Serves 6. May be doubled and made in a 13 x 9 pan.
BOCCONE DOLCE (Sweet Mouthful)
(Can be made for Passover)
Serves 8
This was my husband's favorite dessert.
4 eggs
Pinch of salt
¼ t, cream of tartar
1 1/3.C sugar
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate pieces
3 T. hot water
3 C heavy cream
1 pint fresh strawberries
Directions:
Meringue Layers
1. Preheat oven to very slow 250 degrees.
2. 2. Beat until stiff the egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar.
3. Gradually beat in 1 Cup sugar and continue to beat until the meringue is stiff and glossy.
4. Line baking sheets with waxed paper and on the paper, trace 3 circles, each 8 inches in diameter. Spread the meringue evenly over the circles, about ¼ inch thick and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until meringue is pale gold and still pliable.
5. Remove form oven and carefully peel waxed paper from bottom. Put on cake racks to dry.
Filling
1. Melt chocolate and 3 T water over hot water.
2. Whip cream until stiff. Gradually add 1/3 C sugar and beat until very stiff.
3. Slice strawberries.
Presentation:
Place a meringue layer on serving plate and spread with a thin coating of melted chocolate. (I do both at the same time.) Then spread a layer about ¾ inch thick of the whipped cream and top this with a layer of the sliced strawberries. Put the second layer of the meringue on top, spread with chocolate if you have not yet done that, another layer of the whipped cream and strawberries. Top with the third meringue layer. Frost sides and top smoothly with remaining whipped cream. Decorate with additional strawberries (you might want to have some dipped in chocolate) or remaining chocolate piped through a tube. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Can be made a day ahead.
When serving, use a serrated knife since the chocolate will harden.
MATZO GRANOLA
Nonstick cooking spray
3 cups crumbled whole wheat matzo or matzo farfel
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups roughly chopped pecans
6 tablespoons margarine
1/2 cup dark-brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon coarse salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup golden raisins
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with
cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together matzo, almonds, and pecans. Spread
matzo mixture in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. Transfer
to oven and bake until toasted, about 15 minutes, stirring every 5
minutes.
3. Meanwhile, place margarine, sugar, honey, salt, and cinnamon in a
medium saucepan. Place over medium-low heat and cook until
margarine is melted and mixture is well combined.
4. Transfer toasted matzo mixture to a large bowl and add margarine
mixture; toss to coat. Return mixture to rimmed baking sheet and
transfer to oven. Bake, stirring frequently, 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool.
5. Stir cooled granola on baking sheet and transfer to an airtight
container, breaking up larger pieces. Add raisins, cover
container, and shake to combine. Granola may be stored in an
airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks.
CHOCOLATE ROLL (from The New York Times Cookbook)
5 large eggs, separated
3 T. strong coffee
2/3 C. sugar
Cocoa
6 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 ¼ C. heavy cream, whipped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to moderate 350 degrees F. Butter a jelly roll pay (8 x 12 inches). Line it with wax paper and butter the paper.
2. Beat the egg yolks and sugar until thick in pale in color.
3. Melt the chocolate in the coffee over low heat, stirring until chocolate melts. Cool mixture slightly, then stir into the eggs yolks.
4. Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold it into the chocolate mixture.
5. Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Do not overbake.
6. Remove the pan from the oven and cover the cake with a damp cloth. Let stand for 30 minutes or until cool. Loosen cake from the baking sheet and dust cake generously with cocoa (or cocoa confectioners sugar combination). Turn the cake out on wax paper, cocoa side down.
7. Carefully remove paper from the bottom of the cake. Spread the cake with whipped cream, sweetened and flavored to taste*, and roll up like a jelly roll. The last roll should deposit the log, seam side down on a long board or platter. Dust the top with more cocoa.
* You can also fill the roll with a chocolate or white chocolate ganache. (Melt chocolate into heavy cream, and whip.)
Scarsdale Teen Center Seeks Adult Board Members
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The Adult Board of The Center @ 862 (also known as the Scarsdale Teen Center) invites community members who support the mission of a safe, alcohol and drug free place for Scarsdale teens, to join the Board.
Responsibilities of the Adult Board include oversight and setting policy for The Center, developing community relations, promoting community driven programming and working in various committees (facility, fiscal management, legal and fundraising and publicity).
The Center, located at 862 Scarsdale Avenue, provides programming to Scarsdale's middle school and high school teens residing in Scarsdale and/or attending Scarsdale's public schools. Staff supports teens organizing their own events at The Center as well. The Center is in its 14th year of operation. Learn more at: www.TheCenter862.com
2013-2014 Adult Board Members
Mary Blum
Arlene Katz Spitzer
Lisa Bradlow
B. Kathleen Munguia
Jordan Copeland
Heather Panessa
Jennifer Costello
Kathy Pascale
Susan Duncan
Rippy Philipps
Melpo Fite
Jill Scheuer
Melanie FitzGibbon
Eleanor Skolnik
Terri Harrison
Esther Sloan
Dan Hochvert
Ansu Thomas
For further information, contact the Nominating Committee at 914-722-8358 or email [email protected].
UJA-Federation and WJCS News
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More than 100 woman joined UJA-Federation of New York's cultural circle at the JCC of Mid-Westchester to watch Gabriela Kohen's autobiographical one-woman play, Decoding the Tablecloth, in which she portrays 20-plus characters in English, Spanish, and Yiddish. Decoding the Tablecloth spans five generations and describes Kohen's experiences as an immigrant girl growing up Jewish and Latina in New York. "In some ways, Gabriela's family story is the iconic Jewish story..." said Westchester Women's Philanthropy Chair Lois Kohn-Claar of Scarsdale. "In many ways, it is also the UJA-Federation story. Where there is a Jew, there is UJA-Federation. Where there is a crisis, a need for rescue, a vulnerable individual, you'll find us there. That's what we do."
(Pictured above) Lois Kohn-Claar of Scarsdale, Karen Sobel of Purchase, Rikki Kaplan of Scarsdale, Gabriela Kohen, and Jill Weisfeld of Scarsdale
WJCS Honors Linda Plattus and Penny Goldsmith
Scarsdale's Linda Plattus, center, and Penny Goldsmith, right, were honored by WJCS at Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison last night by, from left, WJCS Board President Barry Kaplan (from Scarsdale), COO Bernie Kimberg and CEO Alan Trager. More than 400 WJCS supporters feted the two honorees and applauded their support of WJCS programs that benefit more than 20,000 people in Westchester every year. Guests also heard compelling stories of help and hope from two of those individuals in whose lives WJCS has made a difference.
Goldsmith was honored for her passionate advocacy for WJCS in recruiting fellow Board members and enlisting support for many programs, while Plattus was recognized for exceptional leadership in developing and shoring up programs that improve the lives of children and youth.
The gala raised more than $600,000 to enable WJCS to continue providing more than 70 mental health, home care, residential, special needs, educational and other programs to the Westchester Community.
"We are gratified by the overwhelming support of our donors, sponsors and attendees who gave generously," said Susan Lewen, director of development at WJCS, "and who value the vital impact WJCS is making to strengthen the lives of Westchester residents."
WJCS is one of the largest non-profit, non-sectarian human services agencies in Westchester, serving 20,000 people annually at 70 clinic, school, community and home-based locations throughout the county. The agency's integrated network of services includes mental health treatment and counseling, child and youth development programs, residential and non-residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, home health and geriatric services. The highest level of professional development and training is offered through the WJCS Educational Institute. For more information on WJCS, go to www.wjcs.com.